Saturday, January 22, 2011

Freshness

The landscape has been transformed into to the simplest of colours - white, black, grey. A touch of yellow.

We finally were able to get out and cross country ski yesterday.

Absolute paradise.

Out in the most beautiful, winter landscape, moving in silence except for the swish-swish of the skis.

When I was diagnosed with melanoma a couple of years ago, one of the first thoughts that came to mind when I contemplated death coming sooner rather than later (after thoughts about my family) was how I might never get to cross country ski in Newfoundland again: to breath in that cold air, to be so warm in such a cold landscape, to feel the glory of a strong body gliding across the snow.

I am not very good at it but I really don't care. Yesterday, Finn and I both enjoyed every second of it - it felt so precious. It felt so precious for all sorts of reasons, including the threat of the pristine air quality being destroyed by ignorance and greed.

But it isn't so! Last night, Shawn called me to let me know that Kruger withdrew its proposal to burn tires for fuel for the paper mill. A moment later, I heard it announced on the radio. This beautiful place will remain so for a little longer. Thank you to everyone who wrote to the Environment Minister in protest - our actions did make a difference!